Confusing movies

Me and one of my old friend have this habit of going after confusing and hard to understand movies. Most of these movies are not entertainers but testers of your concentration and comprehension. In their own right, they are amazing movies. Again I have limited the count down to 10, 1-being the best. Avoided all spooky ghost movies etc.

10. Freeze frame
9. The Others
8. Total Recall
7. Donnie Darko
6. Being John Malkovich
5. The Jacket
4. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
3. Slipstream
2. Memento
1. Mulholland Drive

Warnings -
1. Requires your complete undivided attention for the 90 or so minutes. Dont miss a word - turn on the subtitles
2. Watch these only if you can appreciate difference. Stereotypes please avoid first 7.
3. You may have to watch some of them a second time. Don't feel bad about it, it is normal :)

Life's screenplay

Have you ever observed someone or something in a public place for considerable time?
No I am not talking about babe watching... well may be that also. But I am talking about total disregard of the age, sex, ethnicity etc in choosing your subject. It may be kid enjoying an ice cream, a sexy looking girl walking, someone on the seat next to you in a bus/train/flight. Just looking for signs, trying to guess who that person would be in rest of his/her life. I started a couple of years back, results are interesting. You will notice weird mannerisms, repetitive parts of speech, way they dress and act - all giving away parts of who they are.

I have been fascinated by the Sherlock Holmes character. At times his deduction were too oversimplified but, there was a beauty to his is exaggerated abilities. Observation, generally is a very good skill. It gives you a picture of what to expect in a situation. Keeps your eyes and mind active.. looking for signs of trouble or opportunity around, helping people and be more prepared in general.

All said, there should be a certain level of tact - as not to offend the person you are watching :) Life become much more interesting.. you see all the comedy, drama, emotions that you look for in movies. After some time, you tend to spot these things naturally. Your eyes automatically tuning in the direction of a babe walking by, you ears open up for bits and pieces of conversations around you, letting you imagination fill up the blanks. Life becomes one interesting movie where you choose the screenplay...

Missiles - Part2

A really hot topic these days is a Ballistic missile defense systems - anti-missile missiles. Something which can intercept and do so with tremendous accuracy and power that it annihilates the incoming missile. Missiles are generally less than 3 meters diameter. If you have to hit something that small, moving many times the speed of sound, to intercept it, nullify the threat is spell bounding. It is like hitting one bullet with another. What if these things miss the target?? Cant let them fall on ur own head !! thats right.. they self destruct.

Even more phenomenal is the A-SAT (Anti satellite) missile. Chinese tested one lately, US has tested one too. Satellites travel many time faster and much higher than any incoming ballistic target.

Technology is getting complex by the day. Radar evading stealth missiles, decoys to fool air defense systems, multiple independent warheads - higher probability of success. Cruise missiles are gaining popularity - flies low, hence dont show on enemy radar, fast, easily penetrating enemy defenses etc. Russians are pioneers in missile development - sheer variety. US and China come close seconds, Israel, North Korea share a well deserved third, Pakistan, India, Japan, Iran are all budding players.

Some links - India , Russia, US, China, North Korea
and as always wikipedia

Missiles - Part 1

I am generally struck with awe and respect when look at tremendous power of todays missiles. So precise, so powerful, a culminating symphony of science and engineering. America, Russia, Israel, China, Pakistan, India, North Korea are in order some of most extensive missile developers/users.

Missiles come in all different shapes, speeds, sizes and configurations. Categorization is usually bases on the range (short, medium, Interim, Intercontinental, BVR -beyond visual range), deliverance mechanism (Ballistic, Cruise/Terrain hugging), Speed (sub-sonic, supersonic, hypersonic), Lauch platform (Land/Rail based, Sea based, Submarine launched, air-to-air, surface-to-air), Nuclear capability etc. Air to surface generally considered as bombs - so wont get into that.

Apart from all this there is a classification of strategic and tactical

• strategic missiles - Generally ballistic, with large payloads, used to destroy entire bases or cities during war and
  
• tactical missiles - usually smaller, cruise (few are ballistic too), varying range and nature of targets for precise destruction
  

Very few engineering marvels incorporate so my technical complexity as missiles do. They are scramjet engines, onboard computers and radars, array of optical, infrared, GPS and radio frequency sensors, complicated guidance systems for each section of their flights, laser ring gyros and accelerometer sensors, Inertial guidance, advanced composites to withstand thousands of degrees re-entry temperature, liquid and solid fuel management, decoys, stealth, MIGMs(multiple independently guided modules - multiple warheads on one missile).

Such a captivating topic requires a Part 2.. coming up shortly.

Aquarians

Suddenly felt pretty bored with life, for an inspiration wanted to check list of celebrities born on my Sun sign (Aquarius). Being such a bad writer, I was amazed to find so many famous writers (fiction/scientific/Pulitzer-prizers), lot of futuristic nut-case scientists, and dozens in entertainment - Movies-TV Actors/actresses, singers, song writers, directors etc. One of my astrologer friend said once that Aquarians are the most incompatible sign - I disagree - logic/intellect usually attracts us more than sentiments/emotions. Can u take that?

Writers/Scientists - Charles Dickens, John Grisham, Anton Chekhov, Charles Darwin, Robert Boyle (Boyle's law), Thomas A Edison, Galileo Galilee, Lewis Carol, Jules Verne(Father of Sci-Fi), enormous number of Pulitzer price winners and some very famous female authors - Edith Wharton, Alice Walker.. (link)  - The interesting thing is even these scientist had a big flair for writing. Not to mention quite a few US presidents - William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, Franklin D Roosevelt, William McKinley, Ronald Reagan.(link). Aquarius holds the top numbers of US presidents. Neglecting astrology - statistically so many born in Jan-Feb becoming presidents is very enthusing..

Big & small screen - Oprah W, John Travolta, Joe Pesci, Gene Hackman, Paris Hilton, Jeniffer Aniston, Kelly deForester, John Ford, Clarke Gable.. largest list of all disciplines, followed by musicians and then by sports men
Misc - Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart, Shakira, Charles Lindberg (1st to cross atlantic on aircraft), Ramakrishna Paramahansa, John McEnroe, Michael MAGIC Jordan, Jackie, Shroff, Preity Zinta, Azaruddin, Abishek bachchan, Urmila Mathonkar..

Sudden realization !! , jumping back to reality, I don't see any (software) engineers. Only one thing in common - love to think..like those f*cked up writers and scientists. Too late to be a scientist, sportsman or musician. I can still try to become a actor, writer, president, and probably a religious seer :) Anyways, I may still write my own election manifestos, blogs/books or religious discourses.. God save the readers :)

Singles Awareness Day

Officially known as Valentines day, is a day of expression and giving.. Cards, Gifts, Chocolates, Roses - you name it. For the uncommitted and unmarried it is a day that reminds you about your single-mess(mis-spelt). The world sex ratio is not 50-50. The girls have more choices and guys have a tough time ahead :) For a minute though of writing about Mr.Valentine.. but eveyone know about him. Then the though crossed my mind - I have not written about guys and girls. I am an avg guy, so don't expect anything feminist from me..... Starting with a quote from movie "As Good As It Gets"

Zoe(women): How do you write women so well?

Melvin(guy - a writer): I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

Some of my own generalizations:

• Guys have the philosophy of one thing at a time. We are like heat-seeking missile - fixed on the target, going for the kill. we may be usure of anything but one - we all want girls. Girls are the opposite - evasive, distracted and vague. Nobody knows what they want. Most of the times what they speak is the opposite of what they mean
• Guys think they are super-intelligent and gals are dumb. Girls think they are better than Scotland-yard and guys are mean, licentious. My opinion - both are absolutely true.
• Guys are humorous, manipulative and generally in control. Girls are the ultimate challenge to these traits of men - adamant and generally testing your limits of endurance.
• We suffer from selective amnesia - forgetting what we dont want to remember. Girls memory of dates and events are unparalleled - amazingly accurate and detailed. Dont even try competing
  
• Guys - Arguments have to make sense. Girls - Arguments have to be won. Trust me guys - if you think u just won an argument, it is not over yet - part-2 in the making.
• Guys are more comfortable with shorter flings and flirts. Girls want longer relationships in spite of their inability to maintain one.
• Our best weapons - perseverance, silence, humor, amnesia(like forgetting about previous girl friends). Their weapons - Tears, emotional leash, lack of reason
  

We should not be writing books and theories on men and women. The fact is we are not competing - but complementary. Neither on can do without the other's pros or cons - God's own manufacturing defects. So get out there and get a new Boyfriend/Girlfriend v2008 Release Feb14. Never say no to love.

 Happy valentines day!

Geo-politics of India

In the recent times, you have seen that India, a non-aligned country with a lengthy and close cold-war relationship with Russia is slowly but steadily tilting towards USA. People have a lot of reservations and fear about these changes in outlook and attitude of the Indian government. These are validated by the fact that America has a history of changing foreign policies, going back on deals signed, withholding crucial defense supplies and imposing sanctions if it comes to the matter of their national security.

But look at India currently. One of the fastest growing economy with a lot of money due to emerging industries, a country aspiring to be a global military player, trying to secure itself from rivals along the borders, surely thirsty for latest technologies  and a country direly in need of energy (oil or gas or nuclear - whichever...). It has troubled relations with Russia - in defense sector. This is a very dangerous situation as we have multi-billion dollar defense commitments with Russia which have to be forfeited for the promise that US may or may not keep in long term.

US policies can change any moment. Having said that they have their reasons to promote India and her economy right now. Simply to counter the military expanse of China and the economic dependency on China. It is an oppotunity to leverage for India.Note that the economies that US decided to support and invest in are some of the fastest growing - Japan, China (Indirectly), South Korea, Singapore, Australia etc. It is not a bad idea being on the side of US. Especially since your own economy is bubbling and erratic - surely growing stronger. Anything else in it for the US? Saving their own economy, Absence of her strategic bases around the Indian ocean, more importantly, lack of a good missile shield in south Asian region. America need a big counter weight to China and Pakistan is unfortunately is with the Chinese.

US has been inviting India to joint military exercises and asking active support on issues of International importance. Gates have been opened to civil nuclear co-op, military technology, academic exchanges . IF India decides to side with US, it should be fast - any gradual changes may leave the country in no mans land - open for interpretation and doubt. Remeber - "Non-Aligned" only works on paper, in peacetime.

Serial Killers

I don't know why I wanted to write about them. May be controller violence we see all around - world of sports, martial arts, war life, death penalty, terrorism etc. Some were sick, some wanted media attention - but each had their unique methods of execution, "trademark" so to speak, and every one interesting in their own right.

It all started with Jack the Ripper (1888) from the end of 19th century. There may have been killers before him too but he was historically well known killer and was never caught. Since the blog itself has to be small, I am just listing names here. Please google for more information:

Jack the ripper - London, killed prostitues,systematic dissection of bodies, never caught
Ed Gein - USA, Inspiration for movie "Silence of the Lambs", died in mental institute 1984
The Zodiac Killer - 1960s NC, USA, never caught, left cryptic messages some are not deciphered till date - watch movie "The Zodiac"
Albert Fish - USA, killed and ate a woman for 9 days, execute 1936
Charles Manson (Founder of The Family), Ted Bundy, Dennis Rader, Gary Ridgeway, Albert Desalvo, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez, David Berkowitz - all notorious and got caught

Before any women reading this can generalize saying "All men are screw ups" - here goes the list of female serial killers. List is shorter as they may be better at getting away :)

Mary Ann Cotton (English), Marybeth Timming (Killed nine of her own kids and one adopted kid), Nannie Doss aka Giggling nanny, Belle Gunness (20 suitors, her own children, advertises for new husbands, kills them, born 1859), the well know Dorothea Puente (lets house for old people killed them and continue enjoying their social benefits), Karla Homolka - out on the streets, Alleen Wuornos - prostitue, killed seven clients - quoted reason that she was raped!!

Check link for more detailed country-wise listing. US is leading in numbers - considerably more than twice the Number 2 - UK, then Japan, Australia, Germany, France. Mostly developed nations show the most number of killer - may be they are the ones catching killers OR their social life so much fucked up to produce so many serial killers! we can only speculate

Driving like russian Ballet

if you dont watch this, you are missing something spectacular!!

Hinduism

A weird religion for westerners! preaches compassion to anything living, concept of multiple gods , henotheistic (we got plenty of gods but believe devotion to any one favorite is sufficient for betterment or salvation), the most advanced philosophies which triggered if not inspired the belief systems of ancient chinese, japanese, thai, vietnamese, combodian and most other Asian cultures.

As any other ancient religion, Hinduism had its period of ups and down. But if you consider the general continuity of a worship process or a belief system, I would say that it is the most complete and unbroken system. At one point, Buddism and Jainism became very popular in India as they went against the cruel religious practices existing at that time. Buddism was so popular that it spread to the southern most tip India, Srilanka, to the far reaches of China and Japan. But the reason Hinduism has stood the test of time is its open approach to any thought/sects. Some people consider it as a way of life than a religion as It consumed every other branch of life (Mathematics, Architecture, language (Sanskrit), Music, Philosophy, astronomy/astrology, Yoga, Medicine) and embraced it all as part of it.

Once Swami Vivekananda was asked, "What would he do if they insisted that Christ is the only true god?" His answer came in a flash - "Thats simple, We will put a picture of Christ along with the other Gods, and define the set of rules to be followed for his worship" For a religion to continue an unbroken lineage for more than 5000 years , it needs to embrace other peoples practices and gain their respect, absorb some practices, let go of some of its own. I do not know much about the only 2 more populous religions (Christianity and Islam) to comment. But Hinduism is one religion with so much diversity but comparatively very less clashes within.

Since I am in software Industry, I cannot help but compare the concept of an open architecture with Hinduism. For attaining the same result, it prescribes n-different ways - each bringing its own flavor to the arena. Although there is mountains of text trying to compare and contrast these paths, it acknowledges each system as being self sufficient. The newly rediscovered open source ideas of "free-dom" and "choice" are pretty old ones. Hindu or not, I would advice, start reading about it... Wikipedia will be a good place to start!